News

Minutes of the meeting of the Rush Township of Supervisors – November 15, 2011

Rush Township Municipal Building
Hometown, PA  18252

Minutes of the Meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors

Public Comment
1.  Jane McQuillan – wanted to publicly comment on the great job the contractor did fixing her problem on Meadow Avenue.
2.  Marion Lazur – asked to see the current township and sewer bills that we will be paying.
3.  Charlie Shamonsky – asked if the township could get a street sweeper to clean up the loose stones up on Meadow Avenue
4. Barry Messerschmidt – thanked everyone that helped with the open house for Community Day/Bicentennial Celebration.  He also said the fire department, police department and the township are participating in the Toys for Tots Program.  The fire department will be holding a boot drop at Wal-Mart starting 9 pm Thanksgiving night through 7 am the next morning.  The boot drop money will go right back into purchasing toys for the kids.
5. Cathey Schimpf – asked if there was a budget meeting held for the proposed budget.  Simchak noted that it is not required. Ms. Schimpf wanted to know if the Board is interested in the public’s comment of the budget. Leibensperger stated that the public cannot talk at budget meetings anyway, it is a workshop for the Supervisors.  Ms. Schimpf stated that the Board can open it up for public comment.  Simchak stated the Board will be taking a vote later to see if we want to advertise it.
6. Marion Lazur – wanted to know why the Board purchased arborvitaes for $290.00 and what was the purpose of planting them.  Simchak stated to beautify the property. Leibensperger stated we should have some sort of fence around the property because of liability. Ms. Lazur also asked for clarification on the check that was written to the Northern Schuylkill Council of Government for a boom mower rental in the amount of $1,266.00. Leibensperger stated it was for a brush cutter that was used to cut the whole township and our guys operated the machine.
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve all township and sewer bills for November, 2011.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert voted no.  Motion carried

American Water Services Report – John Teijaro read his report for the month as of November 15th, 2011.  A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve TJ’s report.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.    Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Minutes of Previous Meeting – October 18th, 2011- A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the previous meeting minutes of October 18th, 2011.  Vice- Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Treasurer’s Report as of October 31, 2011 – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the treasurer’s report as of October 31, 2011.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Municipal Reports – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve all municipal reports and place on file for public review.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Under the question, Vice-Chairman Gilbert asked Ms. Conville to read off what reports they are.  Ms. Conville stated there is a monthly engineering and zoning report from Alfred Benesch and Company, a weekly road department report, and Corporal Frederick’s police report for the month.  Gilbert asked Ms. Conville to read the police report.  Ms. Conville read the following: District Justice Fine Money $2, 919.98, total miles on police vehicles 5,378 calls and complaints handled by the police were 478. Corporal Frederick requested the board’s permission to purchase a new taser for $800.00.  Corporal Frederick stated in his monthly report that he would have more than enough money to cover the purchase of a new taser. Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert for Corporal Frederick to purchase a new taser for $800.00 out of the police budget. Supervisor Leibensperger seconded the motion.  Under the question, Simchak asked Officer Herring how many tasers the department currently has and if they are in working condition.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Gilbert and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Simchak voted no.  The motion carried.

Correspondence – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve and place on file for public review all correspondence. Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion. Under the question, Leibensperger asked Ms. Conville to read off the correspondence.  Ms. Conville mentioned the following correspondence items received for the month:
1.  PSATS Township Legal Defense Partnership Fall newsletter
2.  PSATS News Bulletin
3.  Pledge requirements from Mauch Chunk Trust
4. Letter from Bob Ritsick, who is Chairman of our Planning Commission and our voting delegate to ESRP, noting the proposed changes in the final stages of Ordinance preparation.
5.  Letter from the Bureau of Municipal Services listing our revised 2012 liquid fuel allocation will be $99,988.02.
6.  Letter from Ankiewicz Enterprises updating the Board on the Meadow Avenue project.
7.  An email from a resident on Meadow Avenue telling the Board about how truly professional the workers are for Interstate Waste Services.  He also stated they are doing a wonderful job and hopes they stay with us for a long time.
8.  An email from Jane McQuillan expressing her thanks to the Board, our engineering firm, and the contractor, for addressing her problem on Meadow Avenue and correcting it.
9.  Email from Lori Lewis pertaining to her problems on Meadow Avenue.
Vice-Chairman Gilbert asked for an update on Grand Prix Meadow Avenue project.   Ms. Conville read the following: Grand Prix would like to take this opportunity to give you an update on the above referenced project. At this time we have completed work on Meadow Avenue.  We will continue to install laterals on Bnosky Street thru next Wednesday, November 23rd.  We anticipate restoration work including paving should be completed by November 25th.  We thank you for your cooperation throughout this project and look forward to working together on future projects.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office. Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted for the motion, carried.

Attorney’s Business – Attorney Yurchak stated there are some areas with the Centax agreement that need to be clarified. Some sections state a three year renewal and another section states a two year renewal.  Attorney Yurchak also stated that Centax will be collecting delinquents as well and will be collecting 1.35 percent of all tax monies they receive. He suggested to the Board to get some clarification with the agreement and do the motion at next month’s meeting.

Chairman Simchak touched briefly on some areas listed in the proposed 2012 budget.  Simchak stated that taxes will remain at 5.62 mills.  The value of a mill has increased for next year.  One mill this year was $106,833.00 and for 2012 will be $106,884.00.  Our Liquid Fuels for next year has decreased by approximately five thousand dollars.  The 2012 proposed budget includes a four percent pay increase for all of our employees.  There is a reduction in the sanitation fee to $130.00 for the year per household.  The total proposed income for the 2012 budget is $3,067,000.00 and expenses $2,998.000.00

New Business –
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to advertise the proposed 2012 budget for public review.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Under the question, Gilbert wanted to know why our employees are getting raises between 70 and 80 cents per hour if there is an uncertainty of the market and an economic recession.  Simchak asked Ms. Conville what percentage was used for raises.  Ms. Conville stated that last year and this year, the Board figured raises as to the police contract which is four percent.  Gilbert stated the police contract has nothing to do with the employees of the township. Simchak said that all employees should be treated equal and that Gilbert voted for the police contract.  Gilbert doesn’t feel that way.  Leibensperger also feels that since the police are getting four percent, then everybody should be entitled to the same raise. Leibensperger stated that when it comes time for the new contract, the police will probably want family benefits. Medical benefits are sky rocketing and if the township is going to be charging employees for them, then we should be giving some sort of raise to compensate for that.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert voted no.  The motion carried.
Chairman Simchak adjourned the meeting at 6:25 o’clock pm.

Transcribed and attested:

________________________________________
Terri Conville
Secretary/Treasurer

pre-loaded imagepre-loaded imagepre-loaded imagepre-loaded imagepre-loaded image